Heater core replacement

[93GrnMnstr]

Does anyone know where a write-up on how to remove the dash and replace the heater core might be? Or could someone do one?

93 EX coupe, manual trans.

Got over 320k miles, and I'm not paying for 10 hours of labor to replace it. I have tools and could probably get it done in a weekend, but I want to be sure I know what I'm doing before I take apart my dashboard.

Thanks in advance.

And yes, I've flushed and checked everything. There's absolutely no warmth coming out whatsoever.

[ravenexi]

I did mine with the help of a Haynes manual. Its really not too bad, just take your time and don't try to force anything. First time takes awhile, but after that you can have it done in a few hours. the Haynes manual will walk you through it and for $20 it holds a wealth of knowledge for other jobs. I definitely recommend getting one. don't try to take shortcuts. It will take you much longer if you do and you will most likely damage things.

[GeoffM]

If you don't have any books, I'd recommend against Haynes. Instead buy a Helms manual. $40 and it's what the dealer uses.

Also, you're gonna be sore
Be prepared to spend A LOT of time upside down.

[91b20ed]

if the car is not blowing any heat your heater core is most likely not your problem. you replace a heater core when it leaks. problem is most likely one of the doors in your evaporator/heater core case. either that or a bad cable to your heater line switch(the one in the engine bay). make sure those things are working properly before you go through all that trouble.

[93GrnMnstr]

if the car is not blowing any heat your heater core is most likely not your problem. you replace a heater core when it leaks. problem is most likely one of the doors in your evaporator/heater core case. either that or a bad cable to your heater line switch(the one in the engine bay). make sure those things are working properly before you go through all that trouble.

Yeah, we actually did check to make sure sure the doors were opening and closing. Thermostat is fine, coolant is hot- just no heat. Went through last winter with a propane heater in the car- not doing that again lol.

Thanks- I'll check out the Haynes and Helms- might get both- $60 versus $1000 - I can deal with that.

[91b20ed]

theres only one way the heater core could be the problem and the chances of it are slim to none. it has to clogged with crap so bad thats its not allowing coolant to properly flow into it. im just warning you. dont be mad when you do all that work and it still has no heat. good luck.

[GeoffM]

Also consider your blower motor and blower motor resistor box.

[PR CB7]

remove the hoses going to the heater and put the garden hose to it, there should be flow
if there's not flow, open the heater valve (the one with the cable coming from the cabin)

once you see flow, connect the heater hoses to it again, let the car warm up and switch the heater to hot

touch both hoses (they should be hot), if one of them is cold, again check the valve

if both are hot, remove the glove box and you'll see a cable coming from the the back of the climate control, to a white arm underneath the airbox, carefully move that arm, and you should have warm air coming out

maybe the heater knob if broken

if its not leaking and there's flow going through the core, there's no need to take the dash out

[91b20ed]

Also consider your blower motor and blower motor resistor box.

remove the hoses going to the heater and put the garden hose to it, there should be flow
if there's not flow, open the heater valve (the one with the cable coming from the cabin)

once you see flow, connect the heater hoses to it again, let the car warm up and switch the heater to hot

touch both hoses (they should be hot), if one of them is cold, again check the valve

if both are hot, remove the glove box and you'll see a cable coming from the the back of the climate control, to a white arm underneath the airbox, carefully move that arm, and you should have warm air coming out

maybe the heater knob if broken

if its not leaking and there's flow going through the core, there's no need to take the dash out

[93GrnMnstr]

Ok well, before I go ripping apart the dashboard, I'll try flushing it again. The last time I tried (last spring) we got a teeeny bit of warm air, and nothing after that.

I have noticed in the past that I smell coolant sometimes, and my windows fog up very easily. I read that these could be signs that the core is leaking.

I mean with 320,000 miles, is it really that farfetched that the heater core has gone bad?

'Preciate all the advice- I'll try to see if it's something else before I break my back trying to replace the core.

[91b20ed]

should have given those details in the first post man. sounds like it is leaking.

[93GrnMnstr]

Didn't think about it- was just reading up on symptoms, and was like uhhh yeah that's me. :-P

[PR CB7]

i guess you never thought of pulling on the carpet and actually checking if its leaking or if the carpet is wet?
if carpet is dry and you're not overheating try my first paragraph

[GreenBee]

You might be willing to try this procedure from Eric the Car Guy. He unclogs his heater core using compressed air. Looks messy but may save you time and frustration in the long run if your heater core is just clogged.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/videos/?tubepress_page=8